Pakistan’s bowlers delivered a masterclass performance in the T20I Tri-Series Final at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday, dismantling the Sri Lankan batting lineup and restricting them to a paltry 114 all out in 19.1 overs.
Sri Lanka suffered a dramatic collapse, crumbling from 98 for 2 to being bowled out for 114. Pakistan’s bowling attack combined pace and spin brilliance to completely dominate the visitors in the title decider.
Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Nawaz were the star performers, each picking up 3 wickets, while leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed claimed 2 wickets. The Pakistani bowlers struck at regular intervals, never allowing Sri Lanka to build any meaningful partnerships after a decent start.
Shaheen Afridi struck early with the new ball, bowling dangerous opener Pathum Nissanka with a clever slower delivery that kept low and rattled the stumps. Despite losing Nissanka early, Kamil Mishara kept the run rate healthy during the power play with aggressive strokeplay.
However, once the spinners entered the attack, everything changed. Mohammad Nawaz triggered the collapse when Kusal Mendis attempted to clear the long-off boundary but could only find Babar Azam, who took a comfortable catch. From that point, wickets fell in clusters as Pakistan’s bowling unit tightened the noose.
The Sri Lankan middle and lower order had no answers to Pakistan’s disciplined bowling. Shaheen Afridi’s pace, combined with the guile of Mohammad Nawaz and Abrar Ahmed’s spin, proved too much for the visitors. The last eight wickets fell for just 16 runs in a stunning collapse that left the Sri Lankan camp shell-shocked.
Pakistan now needs just 115 runs to win the Tri-Series title on their home ground, with the match firmly in their control after this exceptional bowling performance.
